Ken Radnofsky, Saxophone

Kenneth Radnofsky is currently Professor of Saxophone at three major concservatories in Boston and has premiered pieces written for him by a number of contemporary composers, the most notable being Gunther Schuller and John Harbison. He has performed with most of our major symphony orchestras.

 

Program Notes

Overture to La Scala di Seta (The ladder of silk)
Rossini

Rossini was a famous wit and cook, You can hear the laughter in his music. He could dish up an opera as easily and as spicily as he made an omelet. He was nicknamed Monsieur Crescendo because he created tempests in teapots by beginning in a whisper and rising to a flashing, glittering storm..Rossini was a famous wit and cook, You can hear the laughter in his music. He could dish up an opera as easily and as spicily as he made an omelet. He was nicknamed Monsieur Crescendo because he created tempests in teapots by beginning in a whisper and rising to a flashing, glittering storm..


Concertino da camera for Alto Saxophone
Jacques Ibert

The saxophone is generally associated with jazz bands, as its timbre blends so well with these instrumentations. However, a few classical composers saw the possiblilities in the way the instrument could be used in symphonic music. But even in Ibert's treatment of this compostion, the influence of jazz in the syncopatiion, glissandi and the use of blues is very evident and characterizes the piece.

Symphony No. 3 in Eb
Ludwig van Beethoven

The monumental Eroica which glorifies all heroes who fight for freedom is the tremendous breakthroguh into the Romantic movement and vies with the Ninth Symphony for the title of Beethoven's greatest work. It is based on the composer's earlier Prometheus ballet music. Freedom and brotherhood is a subject which Beethoven compulses with all the creative life.

Notes by Helen Faddis